President's southern sojourn from Dec 24

Hyderabad: President Pranab Mukherjee will begin his southern sojourn at Rashtrapati Nilayam here from Dec 24 to 31.

Officials began making arrangements for his stay at the official presidential retreat at Bolarum in Secunderabad, the twin city of Hyderabad.

Officials from police, traffic, roads and buildings and various other departments attended a meeting, which decided to complete all arrangements by Dec 20. Top civil and defence officials would then review the arrangements.

This will be the president's first visit to the state of Telangana. During his 13-day stay in December last year, groups demanding a separate Telangana state and those opposing the move made a beeline to Rashtrapati Nilayam with their representations.

The president stays at least once a year in Rashtrapati Nilayam and conducts official business from here.

The building was constructed in 1860 as the country house of the British Resident at Secunderabad. After Hyderabad's accession to India in 1948, it became the president's retreat.

Spread over 90 acres, the retreat's premises comprise a sprawling landscaped garden, seasonal flowering plants, potted plants, natural cascading water falls and seven different types of nutrition gardens. The building has 20 rooms which include a dining hall and a movie theatre.